Burnham town councillors have agreed to spend extra cash next year on a summer swimming scheme and town improvements.

Members of the full council prepared estimates for next year's budget last week and earmarked £9,000 to extend a swim session for residents from five weeks in the school holidays to 12 weeks.

Clerk Pat Calver said: "The town council has agreed to provide swimming next summer for 12 weeks, the fine details have got to be worked out but there will be evening swimming and weekends - for everyone, adults and children."

This year sessions were run in the school holidays at St Peter's High School pool and Mrs Calver added next year the council also hopes to use Burnham County Primary School pool as well during the holiday period for children aged up to 11.

Playground improvements look set to receive a boost of £3,000, and £10,000 has been earmarked for festive lighting.

Traders have already been given garlands of lights for Christmas but this extra lighting will be permanently erected and switched on at other times of the year such as Burnham Week and the carnival, said Mrs Calver.

She said: "It will complement the lights we already have in the town which run from the Railway Bridge down Station Road."

Councillors also agreed to increase £10,000 already allocated for the railway bridge enhancement scheme to £15,000.

The town's precept will be decided in January

By Amanda Brandon

Reporter's e-mail: amanda.brandon@essex-chronicle.co.uk

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